What is a vessel sharing agreement?

An agreement between shipping lines to operate vessels jointly on a route, each using space on the ships the others provide. Alliances are VSAs on a global scale.

What are the shipping alliances in 2025 and 2026?

Gemini Cooperation (Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd), the Premier Alliance (ONE, HMM, Yang Ming) and the Ocean Alliance (CMA CGM, COSCO, OOCL, Evergreen). MSC operates alone after the 2M ended in January 2025.

Are shipping alliances legal in the EU?

Yes, if they meet EU competition law. The Consortia Block Exemption expired on 25 April 2024; carriers now assess their agreements under the general block exemption rules.

Term

Vessel sharing agreement (VSA)

A vessel sharing agreement (VSA) is a deal between shipping lines to run ships together on a route, each taking space on the others' vessels. Alliances are large VSAs: since February 2025 the main ones are Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's Gemini Cooperation, the Premier Alliance and the Ocean Alliance, with MSC operating alone after the 2M ended.

Also called VSA, shipping alliance, container shipping alliances, slot charter, Gemini CooperationUpdated 13 October 2026

How it works

US rules define a space charter agreement as one where a carrier agrees to provide vessel space for use by another carrier in exchange for compensation or services (46 CFR 535.104). The European Commission describes a consortium as carriers that pool their vessels to provide a joint service on a route. Each line still sells its own space and issues its own bills of lading; the shipper books with one carrier and its box may sail on a partner's ship.

The alliances from 2025

Grouping	Members	What the members say
Gemini Cooperation	Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd	From February 2025, about 290 vessels and 3.4 million TEU — 60% Maersk, 40% Hapag-Lloyd
Premier Alliance	ONE, HMM, Yang Ming	Effective for five years from February 2025, with a slot exchange with MSC on nine Asia–Europe services
Ocean Alliance	CMA CGM, COSCO, OOCL, Evergreen	Term extended to 31 March 2032 in its FMC filing
MSC	Alone	Maersk and MSC agreed to end the 2M alliance in January 2025

Worked example: who supplies what

Gemini: 3.4 million TEU × 60% = 2.04 million TEU of ships from Maersk · × 40% = 1.36 million TEU from Hapag-Lloyd

A shipper booking with either line may sail on either line's ship; the bill of lading still comes from the line it booked with.

The regulators

In the US, carriers must file such agreements with the Federal Maritime Commission, and they take effect on the 45th day after filing unless the FMC asks for more information. Gemini, filed in May 2024, took effect on 9 September 2024 subject to extensive Commission monitoring. In the EU, the Commission let the Consortia Block Exemption Regulation expire on 25 April 2024.

The mistake people make

Reading the EU decision as a ban. The Commission said the expiry does not mean that cooperation between shipping lines becomes unlawful; carriers now assess their agreements against the general Horizontal and Specialisation block exemption rules instead.

FAQ